Electronic Smoking Devices

What is Vaping?

• Vaping is using any form of electronic smoking device to deliver nicotine through the lungs.
• Vaping does not produce smoke like its combustible counterpart. Electronic smoking devices  produce an aerosol that contains nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals.
• Also known as e-cigs, mods, e-hookahs, JUULS (pronounced  as “jewels”), or simply “vapes”, electronic smoking devices are all used to orally inhale liquid (often flavored) nicotine.

Vape Facts:

• Vapes are the most commonly used nicotine delivery product used by youth
• In 2016, 2 million middle and High school students had used vaped within the last 30 days
• In 2015, 11.6% of adult e-cigarette users were not regular (combustible) cigarette smokers and had picked up smoking with e-cigarettes
• In 2015, 40% of 18-24 year old e-cigarette users had never smoked prior to picking up e-cigarettes.
• A 2015/16 California Healthy Kids Survey found that 58% of Solano County 11^thGraders found it “Very or Fairly easy to get e-cigs/vaping devices” and that only 63% of 11^thGraders perceived e-cigs/vaping to be harmful.
• There are over 15,500 different flavors of liquid nicotine flavors. Flavors appeal to youth and grab their attention using kid-friendly advertising/packaging.

Is vaping bad for you?

• Vaping delivers nicotine to your lungs just like traditional cigarettes without the use of combustion so it carries similar health risks.
• Nicotine (in any form or delivery method) is toxic and highly addictive.
• Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine – including many that claim they are nicotine free.
• Second hand smoke from e-cigarettes is harmful to anyone nearby.
• Although less, vape aerosol still contains toxic and other cancer-causing chemicals. Many popular bands of vapes have been linked to heavy metal poisoning which is especially dangerous for fetuses and developing brains of young children.
• Vaping has also been associated with an increased risk to Cardio Vascular Disease (due to nicotine), promotion of tumor growth, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
• On a number of occasions, defective vape pens have exploded, causing chemical and heat burns.

What do vaping devices look like?

• Vape devices come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes that can often be difficult to identify. JUULS look like USB flash drives while other brands can look like anything from a regular cigarette/cigar to a smoking pipe, an everyday pen, or a battery charger for your smart phone.

How do I talk my kids about vaping?

• Talk to your kids regularly so that they feel comfortable talking to you about vaping and e-cigarette usage at their school.
• Stay positive. Being overly accusatory will not get your kids to open up to you.
• Stay involved. Your children’s teachers and principals can often be a good resource in finding out how many children vape at their school
• Listen to your children. They may have been trying to tell you something important.